PDF - 9Mo - Grande Dixence SA

GD. P.153000 men totame the powerof the glaciersA superlative construction projectThe Grande Dixence scheme, the building project ofthe last century, to which every superlative applies, isa tremendous source of power. In its own way, it is alsoa monument to the glory of human ingenuity. This concretetemple enthroned in a mineral universe wouldnever have been possible without the vision, intelligence,determination and courage of human beings.Geologists, hydrologists, surveyors, engineers, guides,skilled and unskilled labourers… more than 3000 individualsfighting to tame the power of the glaciers. Incold or stormy weather, in the snow or under a blazingsun, they joined together to complete the biggestgravity dam in the world.To say that working high in the mountains is difficult isan understatement. The cold and storms at an altitudeof 2400 m have to be experienced fully to understandhow the lungs burn, how the joints tear. The snow andthe blazing sun must have been met head-on truly tofeel how the skin freezes and withers, how the lipsburst. How the body collapses with the pain and fatigue,the spirit cursing the water seeping everywhere…Fionnay-Nendaz, the day before the tunnels were joinedFrom the beginning, those in charge of the project knewthat they would have to cope with difficult living conditions.The question was how to manage such a largepool of labour on a high-altitude building site. At itspeak, in October 1954, 1600 men - from Valais Canton,from the rest of Switzerland and from Italy - were workingtogether on the Grande Dixence site.